MORE than 15,000 Durham University students were able to enrol online before their courses started through the creation of a system by a North-East IT firm.

Business and IT consultant Waterstons has developed an online student enrolment system for the university which streamlines the once-timetaking process and makes it easier and more efficient for students and administration staff.

For Durham-based Waterstons, the process involved liaising with more than 270 staff, the university’s IT Services department, ITS, and Banner software developer, Unisys.

Working closely with all of the groups involved, Waterstons has steered the process from specification approval through development, testing and training, to the final implementation, on time and to budget.

And the software is set to take on an even more crucial role for next year’s intake of university students, with them also being able to register for their degree modules online.

With the newly-installed student enrolment system, as well as automatically capturing vital information from students such as emergency contact information, their term-time address and who is going to be paying their fees, the system allows students to upload a photograph so that university staff can prepare their campus card for collection when they arrive at their college, and grants access to the university’s library – processes which previously took days to complete after they arrived in Durham.

Lesley Renteurs, who project managed the software installation for Waterstons, said: “Durham University is demonstrating that they understand the mindset of their students.

Today’s of students have been brought up with technology and a large proportion use tools such as Facebook, MySpace and MSN Messenger to keep in touch.

“Giving students the ability to start their student life online is a natural progression which saves valuable time for staff and students.”

Durham University’s acting registrar, Carolyn Fowler, said: “The online enrolment project is part of a wider university initiative to enhance the already first-class experience we offer our students.”